After this happened a few times I replaced the battery.  To my surprise, the problem persisted, and not only that, but I started realizing that it only happens when its cold!  I checked over all of the power connections and everything looked good, so I turned to the All Knowing… Google!

I searched a bit and found out the real problem.  Apparently there is what I consider a design flaw in the anti-theft system.  The ignition measures the resistance of the key and if it doesn’t match the resistance that it was calibrated to then it triggers the anti-theft system and you can’t even attempt to start the car for another 10 minutes… yikes!  In extreme cold (or heat), the resistance of the key/ignition changes and the security system thinks that you are a thief!  I took the car to Saturn and they told me that it would cost some hundreds of dollars and I refused!  This isn’t just any abnormal malfunction!  From reading the amount of people that has this problem on the internet this is a problem that GM should have fixed years and years ago… I guess that’s why GM is in trouble and Saturn has gone out of business.

The Solution?  For older models, I remember reading that there was a work-around that includes starting the car and modifying some wiring, but for a newer model like mine (2006 Ion), I was out of luck.

I tried various things until I found one that worked:  I started bringing a lighter in the car with me and warming up the key and ignition before I tried starting it the first time (see disclaimer below).  The other important part is to turn the key very slowly (such that there is an even amount of tension on it) until the car starts.

I’ve even gotten to the point of breathing heavily on the key (the same way you do when you warm your hands up on a cold winter day) and then turn the key very slowly (such that there is an even amount of tension on it) until the car starts…. this seems to do the trick.

Not the most elegant solution, but it will save you some money.

DISCLAIMER: I take no responsibility for you starting yourself, your car, or any of your stuff on fire!

I’m normally very logical and clear minded, but I’ve been very irritable lately (just ask my wife).  On top that, the clarity that I once had seems gone at the moment.  Turning 30 has motivated me to start thinking about what I want to be doing for the next 5 to 10 years and therein lies the confusion…

I have a great job as a software developer, but is that what I want to be doing for the rest of my life?  It wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen… I also don’t think quitting my job and scraping pennies as a wannabe game developer is the best choice either.

A little clarity would go a long way right now, but anyway here are some other things I noticed that suck about turning 30:

• I can’t eat a pile of really spicy wings anymore… well… I can… and do, but its not worth it the next day (if you know what I mean)
• My hair is thinning… not that noticeable to other people, but I can’t help but notice the glimmer of my scalp through my hair when the light hits it a certain way.  I’ve been turning gray since I was 18, but that never bothered me as much as this.
• I feel like I have no time to do anything outside of work and sleep, and I don’t even have kids yet!
• Its easier to get hurt and slower to heal.
• I didn’t make my first million yet… oh, like your goals for turning 30 are so much better!
• My memory has been going downhill quick… I’ve got a ton of iphone reminders and post-its everywhere for things I’m supposed to do.
• There’s only a few years left until the end of the world.

That’s all I got for now… leave some comments and let me know what you think sucks about turning 30!

I guess the ’saga’ began in 2003 when I launched Bantam City Games…

Its been an uphill battle ever since and much like the majority of indie game developers out there, I’m fighting the good fight and hoping for that one hit game… the big fish… the General Sherman.

So take this blog for what it is and read it with an open mind and a light heart.

Enjoy!